Ismail Matar has been recalled to the UAE national team for this month’s vital 2018 World Cup qualifier double-header.
The Al Wahda forward, one of the most prolific forwards in the country's history, is included in Mahdi Ali's squad for the final two Group A fixtures in this second round of qualification, against Palestine and Saudi Arabia.
Read also – John McAuley AGL talking points: Al Ahli's Arabian Gulf Cup revenge, Douglas on the goal trail for Al Ain
The matches, taking place at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on March 24 and 29 respectively, will determine which side tops the pool, with Saudi Arabia currently leading on 16 points. The UAE sit second, three points worse off.
The Emirates need to win both matches to stand any chance of progressing to the final qualifying stage as group winners. The eight group winners automatically advance, together with the four best runners-up.
Matar, 32, will bring a wealth of experience to the squad, having debuted for the senior national team in 2003. He was a key member of the Gulf Cup-winning side in 2007, scoring the winner in the final against Oman, but played a less significant role in the team that repeated the feat in Bahrain three years ago.
Typically, the 23-man squad features a large contingent from Al Ahli and Al Ain, the Arabian Gulf League’s top two clubs. They are represented by nine players and six players, respectively.
The majority of the group will convene on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, with the Al Ain and Al Jazira players to join on March 17 following their Asian Champions League commitments. The UAE play Bangladesh in a friendly the following day.
Mahdi Ali’s men last played in January, when they narrowly defeated Iceland 2-1 in a friendly. Their last competitive match was the 2-1 victory away to Malaysia on November 17.
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
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